PJ

A King Cake Burger, It's a Hit

• Report rights infringement
• published: 13 Mar 2014
• views: 407

NEW ORLEANS, La. (WPMI) It's a new arrival for Liz Abadie. She cuddles it in her arms, under wraps as she stands on a New Orleans street. And she couldn't be prouder.I feel like I'm showing my baby or something! she said, folding back some foil for all to see.Nope... not a baby. A burger. And not just any burger.That's something you soon realize as you listen to the customers.I need a king cake burger with bacon, please, says one.One king cake burger with bacon, says another.Did they say King Cake Burger?Mardi Gras, man! exclaimed one man, his burger in hand. Gotta get the king cake burger!It's good, says another man, opening wide for the next bite. The sweetness and the burger go really good together. It's a good burger.You might encounter this curious comestible in New Orleans' Central Business District, known as the CBD, at a food truck with an equally curious name... the FOOD DRUNK FOOD TRUCK.An experiment?There might have been a little alcohol involved, says P.J. Haines.His grandmother is one of three swilling women displayed prominently on the truck. For those who don't know, a king cake is a sweet confection served at Mardi Gras. But meat is not an ingredient. Until now.We have custom ground angus beef brisket, explains Haines. We grind it ourselves... forming the patties, then flat top in duck fat... it has aged cheddar... custom made king cake bun with icing that makes the sauce as it melts.Lindsay Chapman, originally of Fairhope, Alabama, thinks she may know why this sweet and savory sandwich is such a hit.Well, I think it's the fun of Mardi Gras, everybody wants king cake right now, she says. And who doesn't want a burger! Put 'em together... the excess of Mardi Gars is coming out right now.You can connect with the Food Drunk Food Truck on line on their Facebook page.